摘要：Adapting to the health effects of climate change is one of the key challenges facing public
health this century. Our knowledge of progress on adaptation, however, remains in its
infancy. Using the Fifth National Communications of Annex I parties to the UNFCCC,
1912 initiatives are systematically identified and analyzed. 80% of the actions identified
consist of groundwork (i.e. preparatory) action, with only 20% constituting tangible
adaptations. No health vulnerability was recognized by all 38 Annex I countries.
Furthermore, while all initiatives affect at least one health vulnerability, only 15% had an
explicit human health component. Consideration for the special needs of vulnerable groups
is uneven and underdeveloped. Climate change is directly motivating 71% of groundwork
actions, and 61% of adaptation initiatives are being mainstreamed into existing
institutions or programs. We conclude that the adaptation responses to the health
risks of climate change remain piecemeal. Policymakers in the health sector must
engage with stakeholders to implement adaptation that considers how climate
change will impact the health of each segment of the population, particularly
within those groups already considered most vulnerable to poor health outcomes.
